Brad Mayes
Quarterback
Lehigh

 

Ed Hunt:  What are your measurements? (Height, Weight and 40 time)

 

Brad Mayes:  I’m 6’1, 215 pounds and I am normally around a 4.9 in 40 time.

 

Ed Hunt:  Who is the best player you have faced on an opposing team?

 

Brad Mayes:  Rob Rolle from Villanova or Trey Johnson from Villanova.

 

Ed Hunt:  Coming out of high school, which schools showed interest in you?

 

Brad Mayes:  FIU, UMass, Akron, Lehigh and had interest from UCF and USF for a little bit.

 

Ed Hunt:  What made you ultimately choose Lehigh?

 

Brad Mayes:  I went to a private high school, and my parents are really high on academics.  The tradition of winning Patriot League championships and academics sold it.

 

Ed Hunt:  What are your strengths?

 

Brad Mayes:  On the field, accuracy and my ability to extend plays.  I played three sports all the way through high school.  My football IQ.  I hate losing as much as I love winning.

 

Ed Hunt:  What areas of your game are you trying to improve upon?

 

Brad Mayes:  Handling a larger playbook.  At Lehigh, the quarterback does everything from audibling and handling protections.  I’ve been looking at some NFL plays and getting the verbiage down.

 

Ed Hunt:  Describe your overall career.

 

Brad Mayes:  Freshman year, I was the backup.  The starter went down, and I started two games.  The same thing happened my sophomore year.  One of my best games was against Yale.  Junior year was my first year starting.  We went on to win the Patriot League.  It was definitely a learning experience to lead a team.  This year it had its ups and downs.  I didn’t get to produce statistically.  We didn’t win the Patriot League.  But it didn’t show the talent we had.  The offense we ran here prepared me to make those calls at the line.  Being able to read defenses and read coverages is an overall great experience.

 

Ed Hunt:  What is the highlight of your career at this point?

 

Brad Mayes:  It was winning back-to-back Patriot League Championships.  In high school, I never won a championship at that level, so it was the highlight of my career.

 

Ed Hunt:  I noticed you can fit passes into tight windows.  What do you attribute this to?

 

Brad Mayes:  I think it’s just trusting myself and trusting my ability.  My mentality is that I am the best player on the field at all times.  Not being timid to make those throws has allowed me to fit passes in tight windows.

 

Ed Hunt:  What have you learned the most from your coaching staff?

 

Brad Mayes:  Throughout my time here I had two different offensive coordinators.  The first one taught me a lot about preparation.  After that, he went to Elon.  Our WR coach got promoted to OC and he is one of the best offensive minds.  It naturally rubbed off on me.  He really increased my football IQ.  His name was coach Brisson.

 

Ed Hunt:  What is your favorite NFL team?

 

Brad Mayes:  I’m a Dallas Cowboys fan.

 

Ed Hunt:  Who is your favorite NFL player?

 

Brad Mayes:  Naturally, I would say Dak Prescott.  Being a fan of the QB, I would also say Drew Brees.  I have always been doubted because of my height.  Height isn’t as much of a factor starting with Brees.

 

Ed Hunt:  What’s the most important trait for a quarterback?

 

Brad Mayes:  Football IQ.  Understanding the game.  That’s what separates myself from others.  Everybody is going to be good.  Football IQ is what separates people.  You look at Peyton Manning at the end of his career.  He could barely throw a spiral, but his knowledge of the game led them to the Super Bowl.

 

Ed Hunt:  Before the ball is snapped, what tendencies are you looking for in that defense?

 

Brad Mayes:  Setting protections.  I would look at the safeties first.  Safeties never lie, and corners always do.  Safeties have so much ground to cover and so at some point, they are going to have to move.  Reading tendencies is what helps me.  Just kind of watching the film, I know by a yard if that linebacker is going to blitz.

 

Ed Hunt:  What players on your team should we keep an eye on for next season?

 

Brad Mayes:  Jorge Portorreal.  I saw he was a good slot guy.  I could tell from the beginning he was going to be good.  Another wide receiver, Devon Bibbens.  I think he made a solid transition to wideout.  He was my go-to guy.  His football IQ is really high.  Sam McCloskey is one of the safeties.  He is one of my best friends.  I have never seen someone work as hard as he does.  He is already working out five to six times a week.  He has battled through some injuries.

 

Ed Hunt:  What do you enjoy most about football?

 

Brad Mayes:  I think just the possibility and the competitive aspect.  I’m a really competitive person.  I’m from Florida, and Lehigh is up north.  My brother is far away and having 70 guys who replicate that brotherhood aspect.  I don’t think another sport can replicate that.

 

Ed Hunt:  Who is your biggest role model and why?

 

Brad Mayes:  I would say my dad.  He pushes me and drives me to be a better person whether in school or on the field.  He has always been tough on me.  He went to Florida State and he quit his freshman year.  He made sure that I didn’t make the same mistake.

 

Ed Hunt:  What is your definition of a leader?

 

Brad Mayes:  I think somebody that is able to lead by example.  There are also vocal leaders.  I learned to work with different types of teammates.  Doing the right thing 90% of the time. Especially at the QB position, all eyes are on you.

 

Ed Hunt:  What do you want to do with your life after football?

 

Brad Mayes:  I want to kind of get into coaching.  I was told one time you should do what you are good at.  Not what everybody else tells you to do.  I am also interested in real estate.  I like communicating with people and so a desk job is not for me.

 

Ed Hunt:  What five words best describe you?

 

Brad Mayes:  Leader, caring, loving, energetic and outgoing.

 

Ed Hunt:  Who will win the Super Bowl next year?

 

Dallas Cowboys.  I’ve never seen a Cowboys Super Bowl.  It’s going to be Amari’s first full year.